PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vandal Gragas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lou Strongback (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lou Strongback told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Gragas
vs
Strongback

195 cm
28
265 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

190 cm
27
245 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vandal Gragas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lou Strongback!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gragas has a takedown stuffed.

Gragas moves into the clinch successfully.
Strongback gets underhooks to prevent Gragas's takedown attempt.
Strongback will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gragas up against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gragas is trying to drag Strongback to the mat but Strongback just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vandal Gragas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gragas jumps guard but Strongback stands there with Gragas around his waist. Gragas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gragas is trying to drag Strongback to the mat but Strongback just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gragas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gragas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strongback walks away with a smile on his face. Gragas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A left and a right from Strongback both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Vandal Gragas has been cut.
Strongback throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gragas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strongback.
Gragas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Strongback tries to avoid it but Gragas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Strongback to the ground. Strongback escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Strongback staying out of range there.
Strongback scores with a hook to the body. Gragas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gragas shoots in for a takedown but Strongback shows good takedown defense.
Gragas thows a body shot but no joy.

Strongback gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gragas jumps guard but Strongback turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Strongback breaks from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Strongback lands a slapping body shot.
Strongback lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gragas backs up against the cage.

Strongback fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gragas, pushing him back against the cage.
Strongback leaning his opponent against the cage.

Strongback pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gragas closes the distance and pushes Strongback back into the cage.
Gragas could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Strongback breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A left and a right from Strongback both land. Nice combination.
Gragas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Strongback counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice sprawl there from Strongback as Gragas shoots in.
Gragas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strongback as he jumps to the side.
Jab, jab by Strongback - just one landing.
Gragas tries for a takedown but Strongback sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice combination there by Strongback.

Vandal Gragas's cut is getting worse.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gragas.
Lou Strongback is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gragas is breathing heavily.
Gragas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gragas throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gragas walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gragas shoots and misses
and Strongback counters with a right hand to the body.
Lou Strongback seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gragas takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Gragas is rocked!
Strongback is really turning it up, unleashing another crisp combination which drops Gragas like a ton of bricks! The referee dives in to stop the fight, saving Gragas from another fist facial!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:16 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lou Strongback!
After the fight, Lou Strongback was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.